Retail giant Amazon finally launches in Australia

AMAZON has finally arrived in Australia. It’s a new era of shopping — but every item isn’t necessarily cheaper when compared to other retail rivals.

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

News Corp Australia NetworkDecember 5, 20176:02am

Amazon launches in AustraliaSource:Supplied

AFTER one failure to launch, plenty of speculation, and just as much anticipation, Amazon snuck into Australia under the cover of darkness overnight, promising to deliver “millions of new products” Down Under.

The international retail giant, initially tipped to launch on Black Friday, more than a week ago, instead progressively rolled out to users starting just after midnight.

The launch comes just one day after it again warned its Australian Marketplace sellers to “make sure everything is up-to-date” including pricing and shipping details to “take advantage of sales from day one,” according to an email leaked to News Corp, and despite analysts’ predictions that it may delay the launch until early next year due to technical issues.

Bargains available on Amazon’s Australian website at launch included a Nintendo Switch console for $399 (RRP $469), and the PlayStation 4 video game FIFA 18 for $40 (RRP $100).

The company’s arrival in Australia has been tipped to shake up the retail industry, with predictions Amazon Australia would put price pressure on department stores and retail chains, in particular.

Gartner research analyst Thomas O’Connor said the American firm was unlikely to offer the cheapest prices “across a full range of products” but would deliver special discounts on some goods, and force existing Australian retailers to innovate to keep consumers loyal.

Harvey Norman founder Gerry Harvey said his retail chain would seek to match prices with Amazon Australia if it provided consistently lower price tags on some good, but not if it merely offered “bait advertising and predatory pricing” on selected items.